Tree-conveyer



(No Model.) -2 sheets-sheet 1;

E. D. WILLIAMSON.

TREE GONVBYER.

(No M5551.) 2 sheets-sheet 2. E. D. WILLIAMSON.

TREE UONVEYBR No. 555,505. 'm5511555 555.14-17', 1896.

NITED STATES .PATENT OFFICE..

EDGAR D. VILLIAMSON7 OF DETROIT, MICHIGAN.

TREE-oo NvEYl-:R-

SPECIFICATION forming part of Letters Patent No. 556,605, dated. March 1'7, 1896.

Application filed May 28,1895. Serial No. 550,973. (No model.)

To all whom, it may concern:

Be it known that I, EDGARD. VILLIAMSON, a citizen of the United States, residing at Detroit, in the county of rayne and State of Michigan, have invented certain new and useful Improvements in Tree-Conveyers, of which the following is a specification, reference being had therein to the accompanying drawings.

The invention consists in the peculiar construction of the carrier-frame further, in the devices employed for engaging the platform with the front truck, and, further, in the peculiar construction, arrangement, and combination of parts.

In the drawings, Figure l is a vertical longitudinal section through the rear truck. Fig. 2 is a cross-section on line a; Fig. l. Fig. 3 is a vertical longitudinal section through the device complete, illustrating the manner of engaging the platform with the front truck. Fig. t is an enlarged view of the securing devices shown in Fig. 3. Fig. 5 is a front elevation of the hook and clevis in engagement with each other. Fig. 6 is a plan view of Fig. 3. Fig. 7 is an elevation of the rear truck with the carrier-frame in its vertical position. Fig. 8 is a perspective view of the end of the carrier-frame- Fig. 9 is a detail section showing the draft connection.

A is the axle of the rear truck, and B are the wheels. To the axle A is rigidly attached a carrier-frame, formed of the longitudinal bars C and C', mounted upon the block D, secured to the axle by the straps a and trussed by the rods l?.

E are cross-girts or pillow-blocks, preferably formed of iron bars having the V-shaped bends e. These girts are arranged at two or more points across the frame and secured to the bars O C', the rear girt being adjustably secured thereto, so that it may be shifted in position nearer or farther from the end of the frame, preferably by means of the securing-bolt d and a series of apertures e in the bars C C'.

F and F are winding-shafts secured in suitable bearings to the under side of the frame. F2 is a similar shaft secured to the rear side of the axle A. To these shafts are attached the chains f, f', and f2, and each shaft is provided with a square head or wrench-hold, a ratchet-wheel g, and a retaining-dog g'.

Il are hooks having screw-threaded shanks passing through apertures in the block D and provided with adjusting-nuts I.

J is a platform, at the rear end of which are the hooks K and links or stays L, adapted to engage, respectively, with the chains f2 and hooks H. At the forward end of the platform are arranged the hooks M M and clevis N.

O is the forward axle. idly secured thereto.

Q and R are hooks, the one extending rearwardly and the other downwardly from the axle.

S is a seat supported on brackets T and spring V.

In practice my device is used as follows: The earth being rst cut around the roots of the tree to be moved, the carrier-frame is placed against the truck so that the latter will rest against the V-shaped bearing c of the cross-girts, and is then firmly bound in this position by means of the chains ff and winding-shafts F F. When the branches of the tree are low, it may be found necessaryto adj ust the upper girt downward so as to allow one or more of the branches to pass between the longitudinal bars C C. If, however, a large tree with high branches is to be moved, the girt is adjusted asl near the end of the frame as possible. The tree is drawn up in the usual manner by use of a block and tackle, and is dragged over the platform J into the position shown in Fig. l of the drawings. The chains f2 are then engaged with the hooks K and the rear end of the platform elevated by turning the winding-.shaft F2, after which the stays L are engaged with the hooks H. To elevate the front end of the platform and attach it to the forward axle, the latter is brought into the position shown in full lines in Fig. 3 with the tongue P elevated, in which position the hooks M and Q may be connected by the chain h. The tongue is then pressed downward into the position shown in dotted lines in Fig. 3, elevating the platform and bringing the clevis N into proximity to the hook R, as shown in Fig. 4, with which it may be engaged, and the chain h P is the tongue rig- IOO may then be disengaged from the hooks M and Q. The hook R is swiveled in the axle and acts as a king-bolt. The tree may now be carried to the desired point and unloaded by reversing the operations of loading.

I preferably connect the hooks Q and M with a chain which acts as a draft connection and reduces the load upon the neck of the horse. The chain 7L may be madolong enough to answer the second purpose.

That I claim as my invention isl. The combination of a platform, rear wheels and axle, means on the rear axle for raising the rear end of the platform, independent means for securing the platform to the axle in its raised position, a forward axle and wheels having secured to the axle a tongue, a flexible connection between the forward end of the platform and the forward axle for raising said forward end, 4and detachable means for retaining the forward end in its raised position, substantially as described.

2. The combination of an axle, wheels thereon, a carrier-frame comprising the separated longitudinal bars C C, the cross-girts E, secured thereto, one of which is longitudinally adjustable, the winding-shafts F F journaled in the carrier-frame and provided with the chains ff', the ratchet-wheels g and securing-dogs g.

The forward truck having secured to the axle thereof the tongue P, the rearwardly-ex tending hook Q and downwardly-extending swivel-l1ook R, in combination with the platform J, the hook M and clevis N at the forward end thereof, and the rear truck, substantially as described.

4. In a tree-conveyer, the combination with a platform, rear wheels and axle, to which latter the rear end of the platform is secured, of a forward axle and wheels, a tongue connected with said axle, a flexible connection between the forward end of the platform and the upper face of the forward axle for raising the former, and a l1ookand-link connection for securing the forward end of the platform to the axle when the former is in its raised position7 substantially as described.

5. In a tree-conveyer, the forward wheels and axle having secured to the axle a tongue, a rearwardly-extending hook Q and a hook on its under side, in combination with aplatform, a rear truck, a chain connecting the platform with the hook Q, and a clevis N at the forward end of the platform, substantially as described.

In testimony whereof I affix my signature in presence of two witnesses.

EDGAR D. VILLIAMSON.

Witnesses:

M. B. ODOGHERTY, O. F. BARTHEL. 

